A method and an apparatus detect series and/or parallel arc faults in AC and DC systems. The method according to one embodiment inputs an AC current signal; extracts a fundamental component of the AC current signal and monitoring an amplitude variation profile for the fundamental component, thereby generating a first arc fault detection measure; detects non-stationary changes in the AC current signal applying at least one measure of order higher than one, thereby generating a second arc fault detection measure; and determines whether an arc fault exists based on the first arc fault detection measure and the second arc fault detection measure.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/660,336 filed Mar. 11, 2005, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
